Love $$$

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

 

No matter who you are God loves you. He can’t possibly love you anymore and no matter what you do he will never stop loving you. As believers, our goal is to love him back with all of our heart, soul, and mind. The problem is that too many believers are more interested in learning how to become rich instead of learning how to love God. Let’s say that two major Christian authors are coming out with new books. One book is titled “The Three Steps to Loving God With All Your Heart”, and the other is titled “The Three Steps to Unleashing God’s Wealth in Your Life”. Which one do you think will sell the most? This childlike example illustrates a harsh reality, that most believers love money more than they love God. Or at least, that most believers are more interested in becoming rich than they are in learning how to fully love God.

 

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:9-10

 

The number one cause of wars is the love of money. The number one cause of divorce is the love of money. The number one cause of crime is the love of money. The number one cause of lawsuits is the love of money. The number one reason for imprisonments is the love of money. I could go on and on. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. In spite of this, most believers spend more time pursuing money than they do pursuing God. Most Christians have read more books about becoming wealthy than they do about loving God. And most Christians spend more time and energy worrying about money than they do worrying about growing their relationship with God. That never ends well.

 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6: 25-33 NIV

 

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, don’t worry about money rather seek first God’s kingdom and all those things that concern you he will take care of them. So, the question is, will you pursue loving God or will you pursue gaining wealth? If you choose to pursue wealth no matter your intentions, you’ve chosen the root of all evils. If you choose to pursue God you fulfill your purpose of loving God and he promises to take care of all your financial needs.

 

Questions:

1. Do you know that Gods love for you doesn’t depend on your character, but rather his character?
2. Do you spend more time worrying about money or worrying about loving God?
3. Do you believe that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil? Explain
4. What is the ultimate reward of becoming rich?
5. What is the ultimate reward of loving God?
6. Which should you spend most of your time working on, becoming rich or searching God? Do you?

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, today I purpose in my heart to seek to love you more and to seek your kingdom above all things. I spend too much time worrying about finances; I want to spend my time worrying about loving you, about your kingdom, and about your agenda. You promised to take care of all of my needs so today I surrender my heart and I trust you with all that I am and have. I freely give myself to you, draw close to me and help me to love you with all my heart, soul, and my mind. Amen